UPDATE: Excessive speed believed to be cause of fatal accident

UPDATE: The names of the victims have been released in the fatal snowmobile accident. 21-year-old Douglas Eugene Snow from Pennsylvania and 54-year-old John George Shadian from Wisconsin were the two men that were killed when they were involved in a head-on collision and thrown from their snowmobiles.

Both victims were transported to UP Health Systems in Marquette, and the investigation is still ongoing at this time.

ROCK RIVER TOWNSHIP — The Alger County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies received a 911 call March 18th, 2019, at 9:25 p.m. The caller reported a snowmobile accident on Trail #8, approximately one mile North of Samuelson Road in Rock River Township.

Upon arrival it was discovered that two snowmobilers were involved in a head-on collision. Both operators were ejected from their snowmobiles.

Despite all efforts from first responders, both operators were pronounced dead at the scene. Excessive speed is believed to be the cause of the crash.

The investigation is still ongoing.

The names of the victims are being withheld pending proper notifications.

The Alger County Sheriff’s Office, Alger County EMS, Alger County Rescue 21, Rock River Fire Department, Rock First First Responders, and Valley Med Flight responded to the scene.